Abstract
Dams are structures that dam rivers and streams for a variety of purposes. These structures often need to be sturdy to withstand the force of the impoundment and the high values of accumulated water load. The constant maintenance of these structures is essential, since a possible accident can lead to damage of catastrophic proportions. This research presents an alternative cheap and quick application for investigating water seepage in earth dams, through the application of the DC resistivity geophysical method from the electrical resistivity tomography (ERT) technique in Wenner array. Three ERT lines were placed parallel to the longitudinal axis of a dam formed by clay soil from the decomposition of diabase. The data are presented in 2D and pseudo-3D geophysical images with electrical resistivity values modeled. Based on the physical principle of electrolytic conduction, that is, decrease in electrical resistance in materials or siliceous minerals in moisture conditions as compared to the material in the dry state, the results revealed low-resistivity zones restricted to some points, associated with water infiltration in the transverse direction of the dam. The absence of evidence as water upwelling on the front of the dam together with geophysical evidence indicate saturation restricted to some points and low probability at the present time, for installation of piping processes.
Highlights
A dam can be understood as a structure built across a river or thalweg aimed at damming and elevating the water level, to create a reservoir of water
Water as a resource plays a key role in life in general and in the world economy
The dams had a key role in the development of civilizations
Summary
A dam can be understood as a structure built across a river or thalweg aimed at damming and elevating the water level, to create a reservoir of water. This reservoir can be used for several purposes: flood control, irrigation, power generation, navigation, flow regularization, urban and industrial supply, fish farming, recreation, tourism, industrial tailings, among other goals. The settlement of civilizations in different regions of the Earth was always closely dependent on the possibilities of water supply (Tanchev, 2014). In this context, the dams had a key role in the development of civilizations. Its construction was motivated mainly by the shortage of water in the dry season and the consequent need for water storage in dams performed on empirical bases
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